‘There’s no way’ - Alan Shearer names two undroppable England players despite ‘poor’ Euro 2024 start

Alan Shearer believes “no other country” would consider dropping Phil Foden or Jude Bellingham from the national team.

England’s sluggish Euro 2024 start has triggered debates about what Gareth Southgate must do to set the record straight. The Three Lions had less possession and fewer shots than Denmark as they hung onto top position in Group C.

Tactically, Southgate has been criticised, with Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold not playing in their natural positions. Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon and Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer are also yet to kick a ball in Germany.

Some have called upon England to drop either Foden or Bellingham rather than shoehorn them into a system. However, Toon icon Shearer has dismissed that suggestion - and offered an alternative.

“There’s no way you can leave Bellingham or Foden out of the England team,” he told The Rest Is Football podcast. “No other country would leave those two players out. They are amazing players. Find a way to make them both work - get them in the team. I would have Bellingham, as I’ve said, alongside Rice, with the freedom to go forward.

“I’d have Saka and Gordon either side of Harry Kane, with Foden as a No.10. I don’t think they should be afraid to be left one vs one at the back, they’re more than capable. He’s going to have to change it. He cannot - and won’t - go in (against Slovenia) with the same team. The midfield gamble, in terms of Trent, hasn’t worked.”

“It’s very rare that you get everyone in the same team having a poor game. At a push, I’d say maybe Guehi, maybe Foden (played well). The surprising thing for me was a lack of plan. Gareth is not getting the best out of those players and he has to find a way.”